Trying to find out how to troubleshoot the front bench seat on my 66 Toronado. I can hear the motor spin but the trans will not engage. How do I know the solinoid under the seat is working or the trans is the problem. I swapped out another trans I had and it doesn't operate either.

 

Found a manual for 67 that outlines tests. It seems to be the solinoids in the transmission are not engaging but the test light will light when jumping to that point so I know power is there. I only see one actual wire for ground that goes from the seat frame to a seat bolt. Does the trans ground just because it bolts to the frame or should there be another wire to ground the trans independantly? My spare trans has no other ground wire either. How do you fix the solinoids if they are the problem?

 

Just guessing, but recheck all your power & ground connections. Maybe ground the solenoids directly to the battery? Those are pretty simple parts & usually will work forever. Dumb question, but are your cables & belts all in good condition also?

 

The spare trans looks new relative to the one that was in the car. How do I ground the solinoids direct? Do I just take a battery and run a jumper live to the solinoid and clamp onto the metal of the trans to ground?

 

Yes, you could do that on the bench and then check that the drive is turning and if it is then it should turn the drive cable when it is hooked up to the seat...if it is turning and the seat doesn't move then the cable is broken...disconnect both ends of the cable to see if they turn freely...